logo gap26

The History Of U.S. Revivals

The concept of “revival” as “the act of reviving” or “restoration to life, strength, consciousness” was used in English Bibles and appeared in religious language as an “evangelical awakening” in 1702. The term “revivalism” emerged in 1815, defined as “the state or form of religion characteristic of revivals” by 1820.

A Timeline Of U.S. Revivals

1730s

1730s: The First Great Awakening

• Overview: This was a significant religious revival that took place in the American colonies.

• Key Figures & Beginnings: Key figures included Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. The movement began around 1725 in the American Colonies, with a notable spread from the Dutch Reformed community in New Jersey under Theodore Frelinghuysen in 1727. Whitefield’s first visit to the American Colonies for the Awakening was in 1734.

• Notable Events: In 1738, John Wesley experienced a profound spiritual change. Whitefield began a major ministry in London in 1739, transforming a church into a multi-denominational hub, and also arrived in the American Colonies, preaching to vast crowds in cities like Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. His 1740 tour of the colonies was considered a significant event.

• Impact and Legacy: The Awakening immediately influenced education, leading to the promotion of higher education and the founding of institutions such as Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, and Rutgers. It also fostered early anti-slavery sentiments and a widespread recognition of the importance of a converted ministry. President Calvin Coolidge attributed the Awakening to creating the spirit that led to the American Revolution, viewing it as a “Revival of Religion”.

• Learn More: Explore the lives and teachings of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, and the lasting social and educational impact of the First Great Awakening.

 

Early 1800s

Early 1800s: The Second Great Awakening

• Overview: This period marked a Protestant revival movement that began in the United States.

• Context & Beginnings: It followed a time of moral decline in the United States after the War of Independence and the French Revolution. The first general awakening started in the industrial towns of New England around 1792, and contemporaries claimed an unbroken revival for 50 years, with significant outpourings of the Spirit in the US in 1830 and later in Europe in the 1830s and 1840s.

• Key Figures & Characteristics: Key figures included Charles Finney, Lyman Beecher, and Peter Cartwright. The movement spread to Kentucky and Tennessee, characterized by phenomena like “jerks,” weeping, shouting, and fainting. Significant revivals also occurred in cities such as New York and Philadelphia. Yale President Timothy Dwight was an important figure in collegiate awakenings.

• Broader Impact: This awakening spurred the formation of major evangelical societies, including the American Bible Society and the American Tract Society. Its reach extended globally, with significant revivals and associated missionary movements in Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, and the Dutch colony of 30,000 in Cape Town. Missionaries from England, Scotland, and Ireland played a crucial role.

• Learn More Learn about the specific methods of evangelists like Charles Finney, the social reforms inspired by the Second Great Awakening, and its global missionary impact.

1857-1858

1857-1858: The Businessmen’s Revival (Prayer Meeting Revival)

• Overview: This was a lay-led religious awakening in the United States.

• Initiation & Spread: It was initiated by Jeremiah Lanphier in New York City. The movement began with prayer meetings in 1857, quickly leading to thousands of conversions. It rapidly spread across the United States, including the Canadian Atlantic Provinces, and then globally to Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.

• Key Characteristics: This revival was distinguished by widespread daily prayer meetings, significant conversions across all social classes, and a non-denominational character. Observers noted a decrease in crime and a substantial increase in church membership.

• Global Reach & Legacy: The awakening extended to places like Jamaica, Brazil, Australia, India, and Ceylon, resulting in many conversions and new mission stations. This period is considered a “single period of revival and awakening” that lasted until the end of the 1890s. It also led to the formation of Christian Associations (such as the Y.M.C.A.) in universities, which facilitated evangelism.

• Learn More: Discover the role of lay leadership in the 1857-1858 Revival, the specific prayer meeting formats, and its long-term impact on global missions and Christian organizations.

1906-1909

1906-1909: The Pentecostal Revival (Azusa Street Revival)

• Overview: This revival took place in Los Angeles, California, led by William J. Seymour.

• Broader Context (Awakening of 1904 Onward): This event occurred within a larger worldwide evangelical awakening that began around 1904, frequently referred to as the “Great Century” of evangelical missions. A key precursor and related event was the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, a powerful spiritual outpouring that profoundly impacted church growth and social change and whose influence rapidly spread globally.

• Characteristics: The broader awakening was marked by phenomenal prayer movements and mass evangelism, often bypassing traditional church structures. It manifested in widespread conversions and church growth across India, Korea, China, Japan, Africa, Latin America, and Australia. The movement also included unusual phenomena, such as the outpouring of the Spirit.

• Learn More: Delve into the specifics of the Azusa Street Revival, its distinctive theological and experiential elements, and its role in the global spread of Pentecostalism.

Late 1940s-1950s

Late 1940s-1950s: The Post-WWII Evangelical Revival

• Overview: This was a resurgence of evangelical Christianity in the United States.

• Key Figure: It was prominently led by Billy Graham.

• Global Awakening (1948 Onward): This period is identified as another worldwide evangelical awakening that began around 1948. Billy Graham emerged as a leading figure, with his campaigns achieving global impact and leading to millions of conversions.

• Geographical Scope: Major awakenings were reported across North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

    ◦ Africa: Significant movements occurred in Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Cameroon, South Africa, and Madagascar.

    ◦ Latin America: Revivals were seen in Brazil and Mexico.

    ◦ Asia: Notable awakenings took place in Korea (especially after the Korean War), China (despite persecution), India, and Burma.

• Evolving Evangelism: This era saw the introduction of new forms of evangelism, including lay-led ministries and movements specifically targeting youth, with organizations like the Y.M.C.A. contributing to student evangelism.

• Learn More: Investigate the strategies and global reach of Billy Graham’s crusades, and the diverse manifestations of the post-WWII evangelical revival in different continents.

Late 1960s-Early 1970s

Late 1960s-Early 1970s: The Jesus Movement

• Overview: This was a Christian revival among American youth, blending countercultural energy with evangelical faith.

• Key Figures: Included Lonnie Frisbee and Chuck Smith.

• Further Details: The provided sources do not offer additional specific details about the Jesus Movement by name beyond this description.

• Learn More: Explore the origins and cultural impact of the Jesus Movement, its unique blend of youth counterculture and evangelicalism, and the ministries of its key leaders.

2023

2023: The Asbury Revival

• Overview: This was a student-led movement of prayer and worship, sparked at Asbury University in Kentucky.

• Further Details: The provided sources do not offer additional specific details about the Asbury Revival by name beyond this description.

• Learn More: Learn about the spontaneous nature of the Asbury Revival, its focus on prayer and worship, and its influence on other university campuses.